Manual VS Automatic cars.

[HJWT]

AIBU to tell my DH we have to get an automatic? iv only ever driven one once but I just assume it is such a better drive when you don't have to change gear!!

We are getting a 'new' (newer used) family car soon and are spending our savings, id much prefer an automatic but he is the one that knows all about cars! 😁

Tell me your opinion on driving an Automatic VS a Manual....

I have an automatic smart car I love it so much

A traditionalist here, I prefer manual and a proper handbrake because I want to be in control. I've driven a new automatic and it did too much it's self (I'm not even keen on using the cruise control!)

I was so anti auto. Then I got one. Life changing! I wouldn't go back now

Once you've had an automatic you'll never go back to manual. They are soooooo nice to drive 😀

@ILoveAllRainbowsx What's wrong with a DSG gear box?

I’ve had an automatic for a while now.

Much prefer it, but only if it’s got a DSG box.

I can’t drive a manual for very long anymore as my hips complain about the clutch

Mine is also a Golf. I love it so much.

It depends a bit on the kind of driving you do.

On the motorway it doesn't make much difference because you're staying in one gear (as long as you don't use the motorway I have to in the mornings when its a solid jam).

In urban driving (and solidly jammed motorways) automatic is much, much better because you're not having to change gear all the time. My late DF was a GP back in the days when they did house calls, and bought an automatic because he was fed up of crawling around the back streets of the town where he practised trying to find the next patient's house and never getting into top gear.

On country roads, manual probably has a slight advantage but you need the driving skills to take full advantage.

But, as an owner and fan of electric cars, they don't have changeable gears anyway, so they like automatics.

Bought first automatic 2 weeks ago. ( also electric)

Really nice to drive although I still go for second gear just after setting off.

Smooth, nippy and cheap to run.

You are never in the wrong gear, no stalling or over revving.

Downside - range anxiety, where will I top up, will it work, will it accept my card etc.

I’ve generally mended our cars in the past - except big things. There’s v little I could mend on this. Mechanically it’s all alien to me.

Have an extended test drive.

What's wrong with a DSG gear box?

Nothing! I was very surprised at this comment!

DSGs are actually better to drive than a standard auto as they have a dual clutch system story are quicker and smoother at changing gears.

I agree, DP has a Golf R with a DSG box, very fast and very smooth.

I also like the interactive feel of the manual. I enjoy the gears

Mine has a DSG box but I have never used the gears manually.

We have one of each. I do love my auto but the manual is so much fun to drive. The auto is well a bit dull, point and shoot so to speak.

Pretty much going with the flow here....automatic all the way. Passed in a manual, but would never go back to owning one

On our third auto. I love them and would now never buy a manual again.
Currently have an Audi, also had an auto Citroen and Hyundai.
Getting a Volvo next and that will also be auto.
Best thing about them is no hill starts! Although it took me a while to trust it not to roll.

I drive about 1500 miles a month, country, urban and motorways. I had a Golf TDi for 5 years, and have had a Golf DSG for a month. Didn’t think I’d like the DSG, but it grew on me very quickly.

I drive both on a regular basis. Upside it no changing gear, downsides I am used to using gears to slow down, in the automatic car it’s breaks only, and you definitely have to drive differently, in addition its slower to overtake and I do worry about not being able to get out of a situation, when the manual means change down and go. Weighing it up I prefer the manual I feel more in control ( and autos are awful to drive in snow)

Never had a manual needed to drive took me two weeks to pass my test as opposed to the 4 years I tried in a manual

I can't get on with automatics at all. The gear ratios are wrong, the changes can be sluggish and at times not as smooth as I'd like, you can't drop a gear when you need that burst of power. And no I'm not a 'speeder' however, I drive on motorways a lot and have need to that burst to move out of danger quickly when other vehicles either don't see you in the lane, or ignore that you are there.

It's each to their own as far as I'm concerned, my friend only drives autos, same as my DM. I take after my DF and whilst will drive both, much prefer manual.

Used to have a manual but DH has arthritis so an automatic is better for him, traded my car in for a tiptronic. Absolutely love it, long distance, city driving, everywhere its just more pleasurable.

Our car has a six-speed DSG auto gear box. According to the random guy in the garage, it is smooth because it has some sort of double system where the next gear is lined up. You can slip it into a manual mode where you use little paddles or flip the gear lever to manually over-ride (suggested when going down steep hills) but we've never had to.

It took a bit of getting used to (not to stamp on the brake thinking it was the clutch) but our car has a little foot rest for your left foot and it fooled my brain into thinking it was hovering over the clutch. We now switch between manual and auto very easily, we have one of each (tiny about town is manual and our bigger, longer drive car is auto)

Regarding kids being able to drive it off accidentally. Our engine only starts if I press the brake and it also only moves out of Park if the brake is applied at the same time. But definitely worth considering how the car you buy could be popped into drive or neutral. Our auto will drive under its engine speed only when the engine is running, it's in drive with no accelerator pressed.

We've not noticed any difference in fuel compared to our older manual diesel, which was replaced with a year old auto diesel with a bigger engine. I expect the six speed gearbox helps too. Basically we love it, but mostly because it's a decent auto gearbox. We ended up test driving several autos by coincidence and this one was by far the smoothest and most responsive.

...also the tax for my car (Golf) is £20 a year

I changed over to driving automatics years ago. I would never go back to driving a manual.

I used to live in London and driving in the rush hour in an automatic, with the constant stop, start city driving made driving to work so much pleasanter.

People often cite the cost of replacing an automatic gearbox as one of the reason not to buy automatics. Not saying it never happens but I've driving automatics for many years now and have never had to replace a gearbox in any car I've ever owned, manual or automatic. It's not something that I'd worry about tbh.

"Never use your left foot to brake in an auto"

Yeah, I had to give mine a VERY severe talking to before it stopped trying to join in with a braking reflex it's been cheerfully carrying out for 39 years